Big Interview: Should the U.S. Restart the Draft?

6/14/2013 5:20PM

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John Campbell describes the future of Afghanistan, the state of the cyber tensions with China, what might happen in Syria, and more, in a Big Interview with WSJ’s John Bussey

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

... welcome to the Wall Street Journal's big interview of John Bussey I'm joined today by General John Campbell ... is the vice chief of staff of your meat ... today is the two hundred thirty eighth ... birthday ... of the Audi sedan which the Continental Army was established your now ... the ... deputy in charge of ... that legacy of the delicacy or me ... it is a sense of the state of your me after twelve years of war ... the first of September the government ordered thirty years erode do believe that ... the army are sold over the strength of our nation so I think the ... the character in the strength of our big today that they're very good deal were coming ... out we're still in Afghanistan to holders of sustained combat ... we have some issues we have to give After Saiful Solsman twelve has been out there shows husband out there ... we continue to be unified Afghanistan we try to continue to make sure that ... anything that would make and do that were agreeable to that ... Tilburg about the men and women that continued to an army you know the only one half a one percent of ... the station regime right and and and ... comes in the Jordan or his agent is larger than themselves ... protests to put the life of a wind storm on very humbled and ... proud of that up to the sworn in Times Square we enlisted thirty one do ... the men or women from New York staters for those really don't need to do that ... but Dick Armey the of ... the last pope lectures Iraq Afghanistan ... going back and forth to plumbers come back for your go back for deployment ... um when you see it on a road victory that we provide the right here in transition for those shoulders and then ... decide the only army ... so got to come up renewed or the model or celebrate two in thirty years but it would top two civilizations ... helping shoulders transition out to hire veterans ... Mr. great opportunity ... we still have the of the best equipped best trade arm in the world ... the word army and transition going through budget ... issues coming out of the war fight but at the end of this leader Schaeuble hitters to a Sobel soul of the best going best equipped ... best when our men were left over top ... Coral Ikenberry of ... a former general in the army ... also former ambassador to Afghanistan recently an op ed ... like in which he said that ... but this is William issue concern to him that just half of one percent that does of ... to enter the armed services ... that of course true of of of the of the citizen soldier seems that have been losses the condo and you cannot was raised ... and then said what's happened is a bifurcation society between so the military class and the rest of ... everyone he too is happy that somebody else has volunteered ... for that that service ... that the sons and daughters of military art tend to go into the military and and those were not in the US is an activity to the disease be fixed ... Beavis said it would be wise to have a draft again ... and glean that draft or did the highly educated in the Saudi more privilege because ... that creates the Lebanon ... write to the decision making ... to go to war ... the day your thoughts on the first lessons in the arm as well ... as a family fun ... they refer of course that the tumor sons and daughters of the report military families do want to do with the person Duncan to do that ... but Citi the all volunteer army within a thirty plus years ... we continue to break ... that great men women ... I wanted to this um much of the country's ready for ... the drafting him to bring them back in ... Europe every of every person had some Swisher respected country two years with or want them in the Army one twenty square one to do something to ... get back to the country ... I think that would be great staunchly ... it's going to draft in this country and to ... the twenty second article I think ... um ... unless it directly impacts you ... for your family ... or is a break between the military may be getting before we get out that the army ... the boys to our National Guard ... if you are nicer to him in reserves around every zip code throughout the country ... this week if the tie with the community with our National Guard ... and with a motion to amend your Social Burke all about the ARB gargoyle the last twelve years ... Amanda mcrook The brother never been ... an event for the war fight as a portal arm and so ... Mr key Porsche ... you can to make sure that our National Guard Reserve ... stay with us on that but I just else is going back to draft it was a downside ... to put aside political problems of getting to that point we would be the downside of having an update ... eighty eight draft maybe not ... for the entire army but that kind of of ... of a piece of the Army's need the service to address will ... know with all volunteer force room people are coming on in the water in the army men think it's can ... you go the other thing about this as if you take ten people only two or three added that there are even eligible to come into the ... with its own criminal record of a medical issue ... to be one of ten people eager to work for a ... third or even eligible to meet the standard to come in and wants to come then ... whip to get them through all the trading instill the values that we believe and ... do every year for at least fifty thousand maybe more would bring in new recruits to in the age of eighteen point four ... and a wicked storm the warrior ethos ... but these are men women that want to join that one or raise your hand into that ... if you bring in folks don't wanna become in the draft of ... the biggest of these additional leadership challenges a trip to go through ... on ... top ... again I think we can to bring in the right folks right now ... on to the process ... Kissel but about the Afghanistan tried on ... one ... of which ... is ... under way ... but what is the best case scenario for Afghanistan ... I can U S interests in Afghanistan ... to ... which you what happens in Afghanistan the best case scenario was the most dangerous scenario in your mind was the most ... likely ... outcome ... but Mr. two weeks ago still America took a look at Afghanistan the undershirt Irwin ... pro with me ... so we really want to focus on the retro grade of our equipment bacteria There's simple pleasures and about twenty eight billion dollars ... worth of equipment Afghanistan we need to get about twenty two billion the back ... for our army in the future ... still very concerned about those women Ford ... was very impressed with the IVF industry forces ... in the level of trade bread they have taken over ... the leader in most of the province's approved in the story for different provinces in Afghanistan ... many the course of a heavier taken away and ... our soldiers are now more than trade in the visor going out with him ... other still to be in harm's way with every last last couple weeks we had a ... couple of weeks with wounded and killed in action ... should always be out there but I think the Afghan Army's has really stepped up ... issues etc have the same things of that we would have things are already hard to logistics ... met of that choice fliers are those type of the neighbors ... that the joint force brings the health of the Afghan army ... of us would take some time to continue building after building up their own ... helicopters ogle no Broder force us to take a lot more time ... but still very good ... looking of the Afghan security forces ... the piece will have to work on is a government-run social the provincial mood is with governors ... and the people have the link between the district the problem commercial ... and with the ... the national government that still leaves a lot ... and is Karzai and the Afghan ... security forces of able to sustain of the effort once in a futile today I think again we're we're going more to the ... system provides a sense motor ... that December fourteen I don't know what that footprint in ... the present has not announced that ... they will continue work were carved between now and December two thousand fourteen to continue to trade and build ... the capacity of chemistry fortunes ... if over good that the of ... the put and about older not to lose ground in often eludes ... them in a major battle is going to continue work to pieces ... in the Afghan people take a much more pride in May than they trust or arming ... most those places in an instant it over to them ... gotta think about what happens in Pakistan worship in Pakistan and Afghanistan ... for the future ... um ... I think best case right now ... the ... last twelve years of effort in Afghanistan the Afghan security forces in the middle of all ... that ill be able to maintain security for the country and were devoted is at the likely outcomes well I think that's a likely outcome ... so when you also fought in Iraq ... we look back on Iraq and Afghanistan at this point the of ... the army of ... wood to the American people get ... from ... these two wars ... but sales ... Iraq is well spent about nineteen in twenty months older ... sobering view of the point I'm ... the the ... not all of us ate only Bollywood coalition forces were there ... provided much for life for most of the Iraqi people but are still there ... he gave them an opportunity to live her life ... outside of the dictatorship ... we came another very quickly and it's very sad very frustrating to see some the actions of going over Iraq now ... I think it's more about the city the Shia ... the Secretary bylaws were still in the sea get over there ... have the best of the majors to move in the future ... to again take a look harder to ... have interaction what I'm doing and does the porn world ... but that we really need to keep an eye on ... but I reckon in the Middle Eastern oil and the ... I think that the United States to use to gauge ... his homage now they can be done that's ... why we believers don't know we don't have a lot of U S forces on the route of Omaha to combat forces ... we are supposed to work for the State Department phone should continue to work ... and for military sales equipment pieces of the direct line to ... be up ... to so in terms of what the American people ... got out of that ... long ... and with the military got out of this wealth is ... art ... what a better life for some Iraqis of war ... I think the people ever going into Iraq to slow in Afghanistan some of the insurgent groups are they have designs on coming and hacking back into the stage for the parts of ... Europe in the Middle East Europe that were able to take your move many of those networks most shows introduce her ... to give Iraqi people the opportunity of a voice ... in the country ... Maliki of the government there I think as has gone through ... ebbs and flows of Alaska for years been an eager reduced that ... to supplement the Iraqi people the Internet have to figure out ... China Cyber the Pentagon has ... explicitly said that ... the ... Chinese military are hacking ... U S government computers and those of ... military contractors ... aam and were snowed in this um ... disaffected ... the contractor who had access to the NSA ... documents ... it has indicated that ... we've been packing the Chinese back ... how would you characterize this ... conflict between the United States and ... China Over cybersecurity are we ... in a low grade Cyberwar already with China ... I think ... maybe the torn with China but that the world as the carload to starboard ... um ... think for the future of ... of of ... of the army of Detroit Force recruit a look at our cyber capability ... the goal was for Bersani duvet underneath the cyber calm ... ever the same reports on what's happening between China was having United States ... the impact this may be among financial institutions ... over cough that though the cyber capabilities of the United States has with them for ... for so lot that we have learned there ... as we look in reducing at least in the army reducing army over the next couple years we ... leave Dell size based on the Budget Control Act of two thousand eleven ... one of the year is the will to maintain wearing continue to grow ... his role in cyberwarfare Adidas whose growth and the meticulous rooms as well ... but what is the Cyberwar look like a aam is this what it looks like of this kind of back and forth that we're Artie seen in the ... intrusions rather substantial that we're seeing ... ye think you're a there's close to get people can see ... the impact of data David everday up in the ... cut in the digital world out in those clouds that are going to see those types of intrusions out there ... the impact and how dangerous it could be on the onthe the state security on financial institutions have things like that I think is very very great we gotta continue to invest ... in cyber would continue to educate and continue to make sure we ... get the right people the right leadership positions in cyber ... I think there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes continue builders particular ... soap business has complained about the intrusions into business ... though ... the administration has caused called this the ... greatest theft of of pop ... of value of the total property another ... source of ... of by China and others ... in the history of a kind ... of Should businesses ... be allowed to hack back ... from the water loss a cheeky and ... they're all Sosa services radical robot from high ... that provide a little bit ... of cut of the sort of mercenary type force ... I've that you can hire if Europe the suspension should that be allowed or is that not the way to go ... that's a policy issue no hidden costs of these two but if your business to one make sure that ... future systems can protect your sensitive information ... then there are ways to do that I think the all those companies ... as we move formal have those types of systems in the ... in the nation will take this on this is not just discovered promise coverage Chrome is cut in national from now ... on Syria are are there ... nuclear military objectives ... for the nine states are there ... clear allies in this conflict rebel groups that have a very broad of amorphous term rebel groups ... either actual groups that ... of one of ... clearly are all lined with US interest that could be supported ... and what what our military ... interest the answer what would our objectives were left with red nail in the military has great planning Stosur has proved that we continue to planning now going for certain other ... hot spots in the world ... no the present our governance tailwind our national security objectives and what our nation interests are ... with Syria we know that there's been reported that the BOJ would make sure that that given the ... weapons of mass destruction ... has not be a will come at a certain exported in state and church groups they can have that news adding ... gets from people use it against other countries to the States ... so they've talked about the Vo breadline ... and I think of yesterday ... White House now said it would be some sort of support back to Syria ... my re on that now just read the newspapers now on this piece is gonna be ... no supplies baby in addition to the light weapons I don't know for sure what that will be ... but again I think though what would bother me the motions of capability of the weapons of mass destruction ... aam ... has been telling how to steer getting out of Syria ... to get into the wrong and that should be aren't one of our objectives ... he I think so yes to ... keep that ... from happening ... um but are there of groups within of the Assyrian ... sort of of opponents of a sign that you feel comfortable ... arming ... but I don't know study on the peaceful vote as part of a part of our reason ... people say hey gotta get in you gotta do something illegal weapon you gotta train the rebel force ... for the last several months last year plus but it's been a whole bunch of different forces ... hearted NFI who's actually in charge of this group that group yet with a unified do they have the same objectives ... I think has been very hard for ... Ford to figure out exactly ... how we tied in together ... again not only for the U S for this is not only us fight are the world as the Karma from this ... new coalition is to come together ... for this feature yet but their death only countries ... that report to the ... um ... I think you're a stage in other countries continuing to use them as well but try to make sure that they have the best interest of the world ... and in the core of the world that ... you keep it under control yes ... on another ... big discovery think that's happening ... in the notes are in ... form posse ... in that in general the US insisted that to each ... other and it's ... all rebalanced yes ... but ... tell us about that if you would of why we don't say ... what form does take ... home the Army has always been an age where sixty plus thousands on their doorstep the last twelve years ... is are we believe we gotta take brigades that of ... the Pacific and move them to Iraq or Afghanistan ... Bordeaux now's make sure that we continue to keep them focused on Asia Pacific ... um ... the seventeen Arctic seven out of ten largest armies ... in Asia Pacific ... seventy another twenty three of them as he defends our army ... is re think about water water when you talk about the Pacific but those countries or if you want to shape influence you have ... an army to arm and so we do a lot about the vocal or National Guard ... and how they have ... partnerships with different countries of the dormant for years in years with a lot of exercise with many countries in Asia Pacific ... the Number activities every single day going on between farming ... and Armas of those other countries previews show ... the topics up to that and more to earlier rebalance make sure we have over their focus on the right pieces ... um ... as we deal with a focus on the Middle East to fight the Iraq Afghanistan the weekend to Carl for that as well Sui of the of the balance of peace ... and I think right now where the army is based on the ... the directors of the guys we have from ... higher ... there will be with you that yes we ... did is this freebie army of the armed forces in Asia us our forces in Asia back up to the level that was pretty Iraq pre Afghanistan or does that exceed ... that level that does the new address in a shed in some areas baby and ballistic missile defence for my beloved more ... maybe combat Aviation Live Below burlesque Lucius obelisk that the number of forces are ... about to say about the same heart ... by eleven pm China shouldn't see this as a ... threat ... the topic so I think that ... it search either Tennessee has a program I could see their point of view ... but that we really want to gauge what she ... the former world ... with our rebuild the milling gauge things we've been doing that for years were uptick in the mobile but now ... the army has been issues out there I think that a merger with exercise for operations ... further that we just now says you should pack US Army Pacific were to put a four star out there with a four star for such a Porsche roadshow of production of the optimum use the factor ... in the late ... that huge user early July ... time and enjoyed the deficits ... this is the gate of The will continue with the Asia Pacific ... these are ambitious ... plans of of where the middle of a budget ... sequester an ... overall budget cuts coming in the ... coming years ... tells how this affecting these plants ... was to Asia but elsewhere well we are to write downs would have to draw eighty thousand by a foursome to use active components were high ... couple years ago about five or seven thousand won the four hundred and ninety thousand ... The that's all pre SciQuest ration ... on the National Guard was eight thousand the snow for structured ... in on the U S Army Reserve about a thousand again ... it's all pre SciQuest ration ... to the twenty oh one budget is passed for the next couple years ... I do believe the euro euro in testimony inspector McHugh investment so that we can test was in the four hundred thousand ... children from all for component second-quarter which are ... based on whatever the SciQuest ration packs and that ... forty thousand now for for seventeen ... pre SciQuest ration were planning ... on differ budget right no more that will go ... above all indications or in a lot going for ... so going more than twenty thousand I and within the constraints of sequestration budget cuts can Europe plans for a showing us is that we did not ... right now more work into that don't have a good answer for if they can for under ninety thousand ... based on the third strategic guidance of silver culpable though we can meet all of those objectives of the Goebel low for her ninety thousand ... who have taken on the remote ... to ... juggle childcare will thank you for much for joining us thank you